Former Suffolk exec Levy seeks gov’t savings

Speaking before the Long Island Metro Business Action today, the former Suffolk County executive announced he has set up a new initiative aimed at consolidating many of the overlapping governments and special districts that he says have taxed Long Island to unsustainable levels.

“The big problem with Long Island is that there are too many layers of government, between all of the towns, villages, cities, fire districts, sewer districts, etc.,” Levy said. “It really gets out of control. The question becomes ‘how do we get rid of the myriad of overlapping districts?’”

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Levy bills his new venture, the Center for Government Savings, as less of a think tank and more of a “do tank,” working with resident groups to get burdensome districts abolished or consolidated. The first districts on Long Island in his cross-hairs are the Gordon Heights Fire District and the Hempstead Sewer District, both of which tax individuals way more than their out-of-district neighbors. Levy said he has been in talks with resident groups in both areas about providing them free aid in terms of gathering signatures, dealing with legal issues and providing other advice through the process.

“Everyone keeps asking me which school districts [the center] is going to seek to consolidate,” Levy said. “We’re starting small. We want to get a few success stories under our belt first, get the word out and then work up to that.”

State legislation implemented in 2009 made it easier for residents to petition to have special districts dissolved; however, no districts on Long Island have done so since that legislation was enacted.

Levy is also currently seeking support for the center, hoping to obtain grants for the funding of day-to-day needs like office supplies. In addition, Levy is in talks with Touro Law School about partnering with the college to give the group the backing of a higher education institute. The center has already had one of its three meetings at the Touro site.

Levy isn’t the only big name attached to the Center for Government Savings. The group currently has 30 others who have signed on, including: Bob Catell, Bill Schoolman, Wilbur Breslin, John King, Marie Zere, Desmond Ryan, Mitch Pally, Mario Posilico, John Caracciolo, Ernie Fazio, Lee Browning, Peter Goldsmith and Joe Campolo, to name just a few.

Levy denied his new venture was a way to get his name back into the public spotlight in preparation for a re-entrance into government.